Big Dip: Rare Bird Alert

AUSTRALIA rare bird alert: January 25th 2019

Welcome to the fourth Australia Rare Bird Alert of 2019! Our RBA's are designed to provide a summary of the past weeks rarities and sightings across Australia. Alrighty, let's get into it!

In most recent news, after an 8 day absence, the TUFTED DUCK has been relocated back in the same pond at the Western Treatment Plant (Werribee, Victoria). Probably of most interest, is the bird appears to have undertaken an obvious shift in plumage, suggesting that perhaps the bird is moulting into eclipse plumage. Birders wanting to see this bird should note that it is a full fire ban today (25th Jan) but the weekend looks like access with be accepted.

Despite our Tufted Duck's celebrity media status, the biggest news of the week of course goes the CORY'S SHEARWATER that was seen off Bremer Bay on the 19th of January by a group of very lucky seabirders. This is the first record of this species for Australia. Cory's Shearwater breeds on Madeira, the Azores and the Berlengas Archipelago in Portugal and the Canary Islands in Spain. In Autumn, they migrate into the Atlantic, travelling as far north as Great Britain and Ireland. Suffice to say, this is an exceptional record for Australia.

​The Bremer Bay SABINE'S GULL seems to have disappeared with the last confirmed sighting on the morning of the19th of January. It's absence has been noted by several birders who have made the trek down south from Perth over the following days.

Also in WA news, the WHITE WAGTAIL that was found on Rottnest Island appears to have also disappeared, with the last sighting also on the weekend. On the plus side, the RED-NECKED PHALAROPE has been refound on the island.

Tufted Duck - Image by June Harris

Cory's Shearwater, the first record for Australia - image by Daniel Mantle

It appears to be a good season for SPOTTED WHISTLING DUCK with a number of reports from as far south as Etty Beach, as well as a number across Cairns. With each passing season, this species appears to become more regular. The pair that were frequenting Freshwater Lake in Cairns were last reported on Jan 20th.

Whilst in Far North Queensland, birders may want to visit the RED-RUMPED SWALLOW who are still present the Lakeside Caravan Park in Yungaburra (Atherton Tablelands). There is at least a pair of birds, and they have been present for approximately a week. If the past few years are anything to go off, they will be in this location until late February/early March.

On the 23rd of January, a pair of GREY WAGTAIL were discovered at Edith Falls in the Northern Territory. Both birds were relocated the following day.

Readers should note that none of the above records (unless otherwise stated) have been audited by BARC or the appropriate state rarities committees. Information is collected via Birding-Aus, Eremaea Birdline, eBird and various social media platforms. Omissions and errors are not intended, but if any fault is located, please comment below or contact us at bigdipbirding@gmail.com and we will rectify.